SWOSU Student Named Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact

April 2, 2012

Southwestern Oklahoma State University student Blaine Boyd of Weatherford has won an impressive national award.

Boyd was one of 162 students from 32 states named as 2012 Newman Civic Fellows, which recognize inspiring college student leaders who have worked to find solutions for challenges facing their communities. The award is given by Campus Compact.

Boyd demonstrates the type of civic engagement that sets an example for others, shining a positive light in a time when negativity has dominated much national conversation. Boyd strives to engage his peers politically and to promote physical activity among youth in the fight against obesity. He is involved with a Let's Move Program in Weatherford through SWOSU's Young Democrats chapter. He was after-school recreation director at a local church and volunteers to coach the Weatherford middle school basketball team. His also promotes the health of the young through the Blue Backpack Project to supply school lunch program students with food for the weekend. He also tutors second and third graders at East Elementary in reading and is a student worker in the SWOSU Public Relations & Marketing Office. His goal is to pursue the study of law in order to become a public defender.

As a Newman Civic Fellow, Boyd will join a network of Fellows around the country. Together — sharing ideas and tools through online networking — the Fellows will leverage an even greater capacity for service and change, and will continue to set examples for their classmates and others.

Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, universities and colleges are developing students’ public problem-solving skills, such as the ability to analyze community needs, the willingness to participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about challenges, and the ability to inspire others to become part of solutions.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents—representing some 6 million plus students—who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education, that is, to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is among the top colleges in Oklahoma. The outstanding and unique education you will receive at SWOSU is a result of small class sizes, caring and qualified faculty, accessible technology, and an engaging campus life. As a SWOSU student, you can do hands-on research alongside faculty, prepare for a satisfying and exciting career in almost any field, get degrees from Associate to Doctorate, and participate in a vibrant arts community. Financial aid and scholarships are also available. The focus is you!